08 April 2015

Privilege in America

[T]here are two Americas, and . . . many people who reside firmly in the more privileged version don't even realize it.

"Don't console yourself that you are the 99 percent," [Anand Giridharadas] says. "If you live near a Whole Foods; if no one in your family serves in the military; if you are paid by the year, not the hour; if most people you know finished college; if no one you know uses meth; if you married once and remain married; if you're not one of 65 million Americans with a criminal record — if any or all of these things describe you, then accept the possibility that actually, you may not know what's going on, and you may be part of the problem."